I installed a new MSD dist. new MSD wires.. new battery 8 degrees of timing runs great... almost perfect..
and then
It warms up and when it's around 200 * it hesitates , misfires , backfires and runs ruff when i give her goo goo juice . The coil im using is Accel Super coil cylinder shaped chrome joby. ( i could do without the fancy shmancy) Anyways its about 6000kms old maybe more . Could the heat be hindering or even damaging this coil? as well which is better oil filled or epoxy filled?

I installed a new MSD dist. new MSD wires.. new battery 8 degrees of timing runs great... almost perfect..
and then
It warms up and when it's around 200 * it hesitates , misfires , backfires and runs ruff when i give her goo goo juice . The coil im using is Accel Super coil cylinder shaped chrome joby. ( i could do without the fancy shmancy) Anyways its about 6000kms old maybe more . Could the heat be hindering or even damaging this coil? as well which is better oil filled or epoxy filled?

thanks again
billC

Doc here,

Nothing will kill a coil faster than heat...

First, Does your application require a ballast resistor? If so, and you don't have one, That is most of your heat / Failure...Install one!

If it has one, and Does not require one, Remove it..your not getting full power to the module..

Try a KNOWN good coil..and see if it perks up..If so (or even if not, and you don't have one) Upgrade to an OIL FILLED coil.

If that is not the problem, Check the module..Heat will damage them also, be sure it has The heat~Sink Grease generously Applied..Have the module tested / replaced. If you need a new one have it tested before you leave the store..they have a high fail rate from the box..and once you leave, It's your problem.

Hey guys.. well first of all.. how do i know if i need a ballast resistor? Also .. when you say module Im assuming your talking about the small 3inch by 3 inch ( or so) Chrome box that sits by the battery, well if its that .. then its brand new(10,000ish kms).. but i will maybe take it out and get the store to check it! Doc. you said to up grade to an oil filled coil, with that are you saying that they are better then the epoxy filled are not as good? Msd has there blaster "2" coil and they have a blaster high vibration coil.. I wonder which would be better for my application?
Hey Apache thats a good idea.. im gonna go out an check that out! I know my air cleaner fits kinda close but.. ya well see if there some interference.

Refer to your installation instructions for information about Ballast resistors..( Some require them, some do not) OR check here:MSD IGNITIONS
and download your specific manual.

THE MODULE IS either inside the Distributer or mounted just outside of it on the side..resembles this:(this is GM type..yours may look slightly different)

The oil filed are much better than the epoxy filed coils because they have the ability to self cool..using the oil as a media..

I don't think that Vibration is your problem at all unless your running 2000 HP on solid mounts..just get a STANDARD oil filled coil for high energy systems (40 KV should do nicely..) forget about the "bells and whistles" ..

Check that Choke as Apache Suggested..

I had a similar Problem that came through here, where an Eldebrock air-cleaner was installed, the down tube for the Breather (which was not connected) was actually holding the choke linkage closed..If that's the case, turn the base 30 degrees, OR , If not used carefully cut it off with a grinder, leaving just enough for a vacuum type plug to fit over it.

Well new development... i checked choke... its fine... i installed a new coil.. its fine... and took it for a good romp! Ive narrowed it down alittle.. its not heat oriented. I believe it to be rpm specific! if im cruising in drive and get it to 4500rpm its running good no problems. In first and second as soon as it hits 4500 or just above it starts pop'n and farting which leads me to believe that its like.. in the distributer.. im not sure how so, but i think its there.. not like its bad .. just needs to be tuned or something.. Im also now at about 9, 10 deg* of advance and the throttle feels way snappy 'er idles awesome, goes into reverse great..
It acts up whether i floor it to 4500 ish or i bring it up slowly.

hey doc. well its a 351 Cleavland HO heads. i believe the timing is supposed to be 8degrees but ya im at like 10 now..
Do you think that being retarded could make it run poor at 4500+ rpm ? If so could you explain ?
Also isn't 14 degrees adv. a lot much.. it just seems like a big number.. ( excuse my lack of knowledge sometimes)

Well, (again not a Ford guy) if the total timing was at full stop from being too far mechanically retarded at static or initial timing..It may not be reaching the full advance curve as required..

On a Chevy SBC, we START the static timing at 12 to 14 BTDC..and work from there..with total timing anywhere from 36 to 40 degrees..

What Ignition do you have ? Dura (Didja~Spark) Spark or The New MSD with auto Retard / Advance feature? Because I have heard the New (first ones) were all defective as well as the replacements that were sent..

lol well i appreciate the help ..haha (from a chev guy) Maybe you could find some ford guys to figure out some timing advance slash distributer issues.
Oh another thought.. if on my msd dist. the vacuum "rod" doesn't pull out all the way or enough .. would this be a possible fault?

Well its the Ford ready to run Msd out of the box .. i bought it and installed it last week with a Mechanic overseeing. Maybe do i need to just keep advancing it ...? till the problem goes away.? Im really stumped.. also the new blaster "2" coil i installed today didn't help the problem.

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